How to Publish Your First Book on Amazon KDP: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a published author? Thanks to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), it's easier than ever to turn your manuscript into a published book available to millions of readers worldwide. Whether you're writing fiction, non-fiction, a guidebook, or even a journal, Amazon KDP allows you to publish your book for free and earn royalties passively.

In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll walk you through every step you need to publish your first book on Amazon KDP—from writing and formatting to uploading and marketing.

What Is Amazon KDP?

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing is a platform that allows authors to self-publish eBooks and paperbacks for free. Once published, your book becomes available on Amazon for Kindle devices and in paperback form.

With KDP, you keep control over:

• Pricing

• Royalties (up to 70%)

• Rights and distribution

• Design and content

It’s the easiest way to start your journey as an author—no traditional publisher required.

Step 1: Decide What You Want to Write

Before you start typing, define your book idea and target audience.

Ask yourself:

• What am I passionate or knowledgeable about?

• Who will want to read this book?

• Is there demand for this type of content?

Popular genres on KDP include:

• Self-help and personal development

• Romance and thrillers

• Journals and planners

• Business and investing guides

• Children’s books

Tip: Use tools like Amazon Best Sellers and BookBoltto research profitable niches.

Step 2: Write Your Manuscript

You can write your book using:

• Google Docs

• Microsoft Word

• Scrivener (great for long-form writing)

Focus on delivering value. Even a 20–50 page guide can do well if it helps readers solve a problem or learn something new.

Pro Tips:

• Use short chapters for readability

• Format using consistent headings, fonts, and spacing

• Include a table of contents and introduction

Step 3: Edit and Proofread

Even if you’re self-publishing, don’t skip editing. Poor grammar and formatting will hurt reviews.

Options:

• Self-edit using tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid

• Ask a friend to proofread

• Hire a freelance editor on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork

Investing in a good edit boosts reader trust and ratings.

Step 4: Format Your Book for KDP

Amazon requires specific formatting for eBooks and paperbacks.

eBook Format:

• Upload as DOCX, EPUB, or KPF

• Use Amazon’s free Kindle Create tool for formatting and previewing

Paperback Format:

• Use PDF with proper margins and bleed settings

• Tools like Reedsy Book Editor or BookBolt Designer simplify this

Make sure your file is clean, structured, and easy to read.

Step 5: Design a Professional Book Cover

Your book cover is the first thing readers notice. A strong cover can boost clicks and sales.

Options:

• Use Canva with pre-made KDP templates

• Hire a designer on Fiverr

• Use BookBolt Cover Creator

Amazon also has a free cover creator tool inside KDP, but it’s limited.

Pro Tip: Your cover should clearly reflect your genre and niche. Look at the bestsellers in your category for inspiration.

Step 6: Set Up Your KDP Account

Go to https://kdp.amazon.com and sign in with your Amazon account or create a new one.

You’ll need to provide:

• Author name (pen name optional)

• Bank account for royalties

• Tax information (W-8BEN for non-US residents)

This setup only takes a few minutes and is required to get paid.

Step 7: Upload Your Book to Amazon KDP

Click “Create a New Title” and follow these steps:

For eBooks:

1. Enter Book Title and Subtitle

2. Add a book description (SEO-optimized and engaging)

3. Choose keywords and categories

4. Upload your manuscript and cover

5. Preview your book using the Kindle Previewer

6. Set pricing and royalty options (70% or 35%)

For Paperbacks:

• Follow similar steps but upload a PDF of your manuscript

• Choose print options, such as trim size, paper type, and ink color

Step 8: Choose the Right Keywords and Categories

This helps readers find your book on Amazon search.

Tips:

• Use long-tail keywords like “budget planner for moms” or “beginner guide to investing”

• Research with tools like Publisher Rocket or KDP Spy

• Select relevant categories with low competition

Optimizing metadata improves your book’s visibility and rankings.

Step 9: Price Your Book for Profit

Amazon allows you to choose your pricing strategy.

Suggested Pricing:

• eBooks: $2.99–$4.99 (eligible for 70% royalty)

• Paperbacks: $7.99–$14.99 (consider printing costs)

You can always update pricing later. Start low to gain reviews and traction.

Step 10: Promote Your Book

Publishing is just the beginning. Promotion turns your book into passive income.

Effective Promotion Ideas:

• Share on social media or start a TikTok/Instagram account

• Post in relevant Facebook groups or Reddit communities

• Build a simple landing page with email capture

• Run Amazon Ads or use BookBub promotions

• Ask friends or early readers to leave reviews

Consistency builds momentum—and your royalty checks.

Estimated Earnings on KDP

A well-optimized book can bring in $100 to $1,000/month with minimal ongoing effort. Some authors publish multiple books and scale their income to five or six figures per year.

Recommended Reading for Aspiring Authors

To take your publishing journey even further, check out these top books on writing and self-publishing:

1. "Let’s Get Digital" by David Gaughran – Self-publishing insights from an industry expert

2. "Self-Publish & Succeed" by Julie Broad – Actionable steps to launch a successful book

3. "Published" by Chandler Bolt – The ultimate book writing and publishing roadmap

4. "Write to Market" by Chris Fox – Learn how to write books that sell

5. "How to Market a Book" by Joanna Penn – Promotion tactics that work

Conclusion: Your Publishing Journey Starts Now

Publishing a book on Amazon KDP is one of the most powerful passive income opportunities available today. It’s free to start, accessible to anyone, and scalable over time.

You don’t need a publisher, an agent, or even prior experience—just a willingness to learn, write, and share your knowledge or creativity with the world.

So what are you waiting for? Write your first book, upload it to Amazon KDP, and watch your passive income journey begin—one page at a time.